Stargazing
The night skies of Montana can be so clear and mesmerizing that you just want to lay back and take it in. You don't have to be an astronomer to enjoy the quiet tranquility as you observe all the celestial objects like stars, constellations, planets, the moon, meteors, and the Milky Way. On the rare occasions you can even see an eclipse, meteor showers or the Northern Lights. Watch the weather forecast and choose a night with clear skies, a location with low light pollution and an open vantage point of the horizon free from trees, buildings and other tall obstacles, then kick back and embrace the beauty of the night.
Milky Way
Stars and planets are only the beginning of what you’ll find in the dark skies of Central Montana.
The Milky Way season goes from late February to early October. During the clearest of nights, reach into the depths of our galaxy and immerse yourself in the swirling bands that make up our home galaxy.
Only visible by 20% of the population from their backyard, seeing the Milky Way is one of those out-of-this-world experiences that only the darkest skies in the country can offer. Lucky for us, Montana is full of dark nights!
Northern Lights
When you travel as far North as Central Montana, rare phenomenon simply become nighttime adventures.
Though not an everyday occurrence, with a lot of planning and a little luck, the magnificent green lights of the Aurora Borealis can be seen dancing across the night sky at many Central Montana locations.
When planning your trip, look to visit Central Montana in the winter or early spring – when nights are darker and a new moon is on the horizon.
Central Montana Trail to the Stars Locations
Stargazers from near and far can take part in enjoying the dark skies throughout the Central Montana region. These areas have been designated for this activity due to access, low light pollution, and an open area for viewing.
Stargazing Locations
1. Beaver Creek County Park
Park office: 17863 Beaver Creek Rd
Havre, MT 59501
48.29464°, -109.66513°
Open: Year-round
2. Bonanza Creek Country Guest Ranch
523 Bonanza Creek Rd
Martinsdale, MT 59053
46.47344°, -110.59550°
Open: June - November
(weather permitting)
3. Cave Mountain
47.88962°, -112.72645°
Open: Summer
4. Coal Banks Landing
5901 Virgelle Ferry Rd N
Loma, MT 59460
48.03228°, -110.23672°
Open: April - November
5. Crystal Lake
46.80480°, -109.51099°
Open: June - October
6. First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
47.4797586°, -111.5247494°
Program/Event
7. Forest Lake
46.24499°, -110.43697°
Open: Summer
8. Hay Canyon Campground
46.79882°, -110.29989°
Open: Memorial Day - Labor Day
9. Hole in the Wall Campground
47.82004°, -110.06463°
Open: April - November
10. Island Area at Tiber Dam
48.33546°, -111.13017°
Open: Year-round
11. James Kipp Recreation Area
47.62297°, -108.68839°
Open: April - November
12. JJJ Wilderness Ranch
91 Mortimer Rd
Augusta, MT 59410
47.62656°, -112.76934°
Open: Year-round
13. Judith Landing
47.74137°, -109.62513°
Open: May 15 - October 15
14. Myers Family Huts
47.72759°, -109.63320°
Open: May - November
15. Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area
47.61636°, -108.57334°
Open: Spring - Fall
16. Timber Creek Disperses Campground
46.72527°, -109.48589°
Open: Year-round
17. Upper Missouri River Breaks
47.81000°, -110.67382°
Open: Year-round
18. Virgelle Mercantile, B&B and Cabins
7485 Virgelle Ferry Rd N
Virgelle, MT 59442
48.01476°, -110.24959°
Open: Year-round
19. Wood Bottom Recreation Area
47.92179°, -110.49624°
Open: April - November
Stargazing/Astronomy Mobile and VR Apps
Take the night sky with you! Check out these apps for viewing and interacting with the stars and planets and learn more about the astonishing galaxy. Some apps even integrate with virtual reality devices to provide a whole new level of immersion. When you can't get outside on a clear night, these apps are the next best thing.
Night Sky
Pull these beautiful 3D models out of the sky on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro, to admire the high level of detail for your favorite constellations!
SkyView
Point your device at the sky and let SkyView show you when and where the planets, the Sun, and the Moon will be at any time on any date.
Star Walk 2
See the real-time interactive sky map on the screen of your phone and enjoy stars, planets, and constellations.
2024 Astronomical Events
October
Oct. 2: New Moon
Oct. 2: Annular Solar Eclipse
Oct. 7: Draconids Meteor Shower
Oct. 17: Full Moon, Supermoon
Oct. 21, 22: Orionids Meteor Shower
November
Nov. 1: New Moon
Nov. 4, 5: Taurids Meteor Shower
Nov. 15: Full Moon, Supermoon
Nov. 16: Mercury at Greatest Eastern Elongation
Nov. 17: Uranus at Opposition
Nov. 17, 18: Leonids Meteor Shower
December
Dec. 1: New Moon
Dec. 7: Jupiter at Opposition
Dec. 13, 14: Geminids Meteor Shower
Dec. 15: Full Moon
Dec. 21: December Solstice
Dec. 21, 22: Ursids Meteor Shower
Dec. 25: Mercury at Greatest Western Elongation
Dec. 30: New Moon
2025 Astronomical Events
January
Jan. 3: Quadrantids Meteor Shower
Jan. 13: Full Moon
Jan. 19: Peak of Gamma-Ursae Minorid Meteor Shower
Jan. 29: New Moon
February
Feb. 12: Full Moon
Feb. 27: New Moon
March
March: Prime Milky Way Viewing Season Begins
March 13-14: Full Moon, Total lunar Eclipse, Blood Moon
March 29: New Moon
April
April 12: Full Moon
April 22: Peak of Lyrids Meteor Shower
April 27: New Moon
May
May 6: Peak of Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower
May 8: Peak of Eta Lyrid Meteor Shower
May 12: Full Moon
May 26: New Moon
June
June 11: Full Moon
June 20: June Solstice
June 25: New Moon
June 27: Peak of June Bootid Meteor Shower
July
July 10: Full Moon
July 24: New Moon
July 28: Peak of Piscis Austrinid Meteor Shower
July 30: Peak of Delta Aquarid and Alpha Capricornid Meteor Showers
August
Aug. 9: Full Moon
Aug. 12: Peak of Perseid Meteor Shower
Aug. 18: Peak of Kappa Cygnid Meteor Shower
Aug. 22: New Moon
September
Sept. 1: Peak of Aurigid Meteor Shower
Sept. 7: Full Moon
Sept. 9: Peak of September Epsilon Perseid Meteor Shower
Sept. 21: New Moon
Sept. 22: September Equinox
Sept.: Prime Milky Way Viewing Season Ends
October
Oct. 5: Peak of October Camelopardalid Meteor Shower
Oct. 6: Full Moon, Supermoon
Oct. 8: Draconid Meteor Shower
Oct. 10: Peak of Southern Taurid Meteor Shower
Oct. 11: Peak of Delta Aurigid Meteor Shower
Oct. 18: Peak of Epsilon Geminid Meteor Shower
Oct. 21: Peak of Orionid Meteor Shower
Oct. 21: New Moon
Oct. 24: Peak of Leonis Minorid Meteor Shower
November
Nov. 5: Full Moon, Supermoon
Nov. 12: Peak of Northern Taurid Meteor Shower
Nov. 17: Peak of Leonid Meteor Shower
Nov. 19: New Moon
Nov. 21: Peak of Alpha Monocerotid Meteor Shower
Nov. 28: Peak of November Orionid Meteor Shower
December
Dec. 4: Full Moon, Supermoon
Dec. 6: Peak of Phi Cassiopeid Meteor Shower
Dec. 9: Peak of Monocerotid Meteor Shower
Dec. 12: Peak of Alpha Hydrid Meteor Shower
Dec. 14: Peak of Geminid Meteor Shower
Dec. 16: Peak of Comae Berenicid Meteor Shower
Dec. 19: Peak of December Leonis Minorid Meteor Shower
Dec. 19: New Moon
Dec. 21: December Solstice
Dec. 22: Peak of Ursid Meteor Shower
To learn more about stargazing in Central Montana or other parts of the state, visit Montana's Trail to the Stars.